We all enjoy a snack between meals, either as a treat or to give us an energy boost to get through the rest of the day.

There are some snacks that are a definite no-no for our dogs. Chocolate is quite toxic to them, it contains theobromine which, if given in large enough amounts, can cause depression, vomiting, seizures and even death. Even so called dog chocolate contains theobromine, so it’s not safe either. Choose carob treats for your dog, and keep those yummy chocolate snacks for yourself.

Grapes and sultanas are great for us to nibble on but they’re potentially deadly for our dogs. They can cause acute kidney failure, which is often fatal. Not all dogs are adversely affected by grapes, but there’s no way of telling if your dog will become ill if he eats them. As few as six sultanas can be enough to make a dog sick. To be safe, never feed your dog grapes or sultanas.

Fortunately there are healthy snack alternatives for your dog. Vegetables are by far the healthiest option. Gently steamed pieces of carrot, or other diced vegetables are tasty and fat free.

Dogs love chopped hot dogs and sausages, and these are fine in small amounts. They do however have a high fat content, and if you’re not careful, they’ll contribute to your dog’s expanding waistline.

Dried liver is a tasty favorite, and is very lean, however your dog can have too much of a good thing. Feeding your dog too much liver will lead to excess vitamin A intake, which can cause depression, weight loss and a dull coat.

Wherever you choose to purchase your dog treats, read the labels carefully. Treats that are labeled as “low fat” often contain lots of sugar. The result is the same – too many calories.

If you’re handy in the kitchen, you may want to bake your own dog snacks. That way, you’ll know exactly what the ingredients are, and you know they’re fresh. There are many recipe books for dogs available, so you’re sure to find a snack that your dog will enjoy.

The main risk when it comes to giving your dog snacks is the quantity. Dogs are the same as people, and they’re very much at risk of obesity and the associated health problems.

If you avoid the obviously dangerous snacks, then the only rule you need to follow is “everything in moderation”. Your dog can have little bits of hot dogs, and liver, and vegetables, as well as your delicious home bake. Just don’t give him too much, and he’ll stay lean and healthy.

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This guest post is brought to you be Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY will help you choose the right system for you and your pet, help you install it properly, and also help you train your pet to use the new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of underground fence systems at the best available prices to you.

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frozen-in-time/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

I think we all know that over weight or under weight is a sign of a problem, don’t ignore it.

Of course, the best thing for your dog is not to let him get fat in the first place. Good habits start young, so if you have a puppy, don’t overfeed him, and don’t leave food out all day for your dog to nibble, cut out snacks, and make sure he gets exercise.

• No more free feeding! Food is for mealtime only.
• Exercise your dog daily.
• Be careful about the type of exercise you give your puppy. Make sure it is age appropriate.

A veterinary checkup will ensure your dog doesn’t have any health problems that would preclude regular exercise and a change in food and current exercise. Your vet will also advise you on the safest rate of weight loss; losing too much weight too fast can be dangerous. Monitor your dog’s progress with weekly weigh-ins, either at the veterinarian’s office or at home.

HINT: To determine whether your dog is already too heavy, stand over him and check for a waist — a visible indentation behind his ribs. Then give him a hands-on test. Can you feel his ribs? They shouldn’t be sticking out, but you should be able to find them through a layer of skin and muscle. If all you feel is rolls of fat, it’s time to work with your veterinarian and develop a diet and exercise plan.

Offer the best quality all natural food at mealtimes. Offer pieces of fruit (apples or bananas) or vegetables (carrots or broccoli) for treats. Dogs love them. The right food is more important than anything else, make smart choices.

This information was provided by Susan Hartzler with AlphaDog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

K9 Cuisine:

Dan: We wanted to develop a healthy dog treat better than what could be found on the market. The receipt was inspired by two recently rescued Greyhounds.

K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success-how have you gotten to where you are today?

Dan: Success comes from producing quality products with out compromising the integrity of the ingredients and staying within out niche market of Mom & Pop boutique pet stores.

K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?

Dan: The quality and pureness of ingredients. Listening to our customer base. Innovation, experimentation and most of all for the love and welfare of all dogs.

K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?

Dan: Companionship and loyalty. They give more than they receive, something we all can learn. In the case of ex-racing Greyhounds-after all the abuse they go through, they forgive us.

K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your business?

Dan: Building rapport with our customer’s and hearing their positive feedback.

K9 Cuisine: How does your company give back?

Dan: We are pretty much an extended family business. Our staff and owners are all animal nuts. Dan is on board of directors for Greyhound Friends for Life. His wife Ginny and daughter Keri do volunteer work for Fix our Ferals including fostering. Son Garrett and the rest of the family also foster Greyhounds when needed, transport greys from the track to our rescue kennel and anything else that needs to be done. Co-owners Mim and Kate attend meet and greets with their greys, volunteer their time for fund-raising events for GFFL and local humane societies.

Two years ago Mim made the largest dog bone biscuit in the world (9′ 8″) for the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society (they said they were going to Guiness it–don’t know if they did). www.berkeleyhumane.org BarkStix beat the previous record of 9′ which was an event sponsored by Microsoft!!!! A kind of David beats Goliath story.  At least when it comes to giant dog biscuits.

We also give 5% of our profits to Greyhound Friends for Life, all volunteer, rescue, adoption and advocacy group for former racing greyhounds. www.greyhoundfriendsforlife.org

K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your company?

Dan: Twitter and Facebook, but most importantly www.Barkstix.com. Our doors of communication are always open, give us a call.

K9 Cuisine: Tell us a little about you!

Dan: I love dogs and especially Greyhounds. In regard to the rest of me, you can talk to my shrink!

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

K9Cuisine:

Jerel: I’ve always loved animals and when I was a kid I volunteered at a veterinary hospital during my free time. Many years later, I wanted to set up a business in the pet industry and I connected again with the same veterinarian I used to volunteer for. He said he had formulated a very unique food that was making a huge difference to the dogs and cats he treated; a food manufactured in New Zealand that he was using to treat food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome and many other chronic diseases. He wanted to develop the product and the business further but as a very busy veterinarian running four clinics and a hospital, he needed a partner to help him bring the Addiction Pet Food line of foods to as many dogs and cats as possible quickly. It was a case where there was a very good fit in terms of vision, values and complementary skills and experience. Sometimes one starts a business because of a good product, other times because of a good team. In our case, we were pretty lucky because we had both.

K9Cuisine: What is the secret to your success – how have you gotten to where you are today?

Jerel: I was very entrepreneurial as a child, having made my first dollar at the age of 5. My mother and grandparents have their own businesses. So there has always been this heritage of entrepreneurship in my family. Entrepreneurship can only grow with an openness to new ideas. And so I draw inspiration from my family, as well as from daily experiences. Everywhere I go, from watching people to looking at things to traveling, I draw inspiration, giving me great ideas about how I can make things better. On a recent trip to Africa, I observed how dogs and cats survive and thrive in the wild, which gave me ideas for new and eye-opening opportunities that I am excited about bringing to my work. Openness to ideas, plus positive attitude, passion, integrity and creativity – these are the ingredients for success.

K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?

Jerel: Two factors: extreme restlessness and seeing things differently.

K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?

Jerel: I love their trust and unconditional love. They are really Man’s best friend.

K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your business?

Jerel: We aim to formulate, manufacture and market the most innovative and premium pet food in the world. We have a manufacturing plant in New Zealand and market our food globally. While the growth of the business has been satisfying, the neatest part of our business is the positive impact we are making on dogs and cats that mean a great deal to their owners. We’ve received feedback from such pet owners over the years, telling us how their cats and dogs previously had such debilitating allergies in reaction to all foods that they had just about given up. However, by making a simple switch to Addiction, their pets became allergy free and continued to lead healthy happy lives. It is cases like these that are immensely rewarding, where I am encouraged and energized to continue making a difference.

K9 Cuisine: How can people reach you?

Jerel: Email info@addictionfoods.com

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This interview was given by Jerel Kwek, the Director of Addiction Foods. They are a New Zealand manufacturer of holistic pet foods that are not only of premium quality, but are easier on the environment than most other foods out there! You can see their line of products here at K9Cuisine, or for more information visit their website http://www.addictionfoods.com

K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Longevity is attributed to 70% to lifestyle and 30% to genetics. Up to 90% of diseases in dogs are due to the degenerative processes associated with aging. Optimize your dog’s health, wellness and longevity by starting your pet out on an anti-aging regime sooner rather than later. Preliminary results from an 11 year lifetime study using a vitamin product called PAAWS reveal an increase in life expectancy by up to 30%, or 3-4 extra healthy years’ owners and their canine companions enjoyed together. The study boasts of small breed dogs less than 35 pounds thriving at age 24 and large breeds over 80 pounds enjoying quality days at age 18.

A successful longevity program starts by supplementing your pet’s body with the critical nutrients it needs on a daily basis. Along with a good organic dog food diet and proper veterinary care, look for natural, USA made, balanced vitamin dog supplements, made specifically for dogs, backed by clinical trials, from a company with a veterinarian on staff. The vitamin product you choose should clearly state the ingredients, amounts of each nutrient and most importantly the source from which each nutrient is derived.

Traditionally veterinary and human medicine has both been based on a disease based, or retro-active model, focused on treatment of disease rather than prevention.  Newer concepts of health, including “Anti-Aging Medicine” focus on pro-active or preventative models of medicine, geared to optimize health and prevent, retard and/or reverse unwanted aging changes.

Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of a pro-active health care plan for your pet. He’ll be living proof of your success and thanking you for years to come.

Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M.

Holistic veterinarian, author and anti-aging pet health Diplomat, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is a practitioner at the American Pet Institute in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Dr. Osborne is available by e-mail at drcarol@drcarol.com or toll free by phone at 1-866-372-2765.  Her website is www.drcarol.com.

Question:

“I am looking for a recommendation on food to help a just turned-two male to put on some weight. Stewart is a highly active Gordon Setter. He has a lot of energy and his preference is to be outside. Since the spring he has lost what weight he gained over the winter. He is 27 inches at the shoulder and skin and coat is in great condition.

We have had him on a variety of foods trying to find something he will like and eat. Most recently he has been on Kent Native #4 food, which has a high protein and fat content. Of all the foods we have tried, he will eat this one most of the time. However, we find that we still supplement in some way. His preference is cooked chicken livers but there are times when this doesn”t do the trick either. He doesn”t like canned food and he is not overly fond of fish. We joke that because he has European bloodlines that he thinks he is a gourmet, but I am really concerned that we cannot get any weight on him. (Girls in season do not help)

He does not seem to be in any distress health wise that would indicate a thyroid problem. For his size and weight, he should be about 80-85 pounds, but barely touches 70. This breed does take a long time to mature. I have in the past had dogs on Burns Pet Health, Pinnacle Holistic and Solid Gold dog food, but I am reluctant to put Stewart on any of these if he cannot maintain his weight at the lower protein and fat ratios. Is it better to have a food where these ratios are closer together such as 20/15 or one where the ratio is farther apart such as 42/18? Thank you for your assistance.

Answer:

Thanks for your nutrition questions Kathy. A few thoughts on Stewart…even though he seems overtly very healthy, I would have your veterinarian check him for the possibility of malabsorption. There is a medical condition called EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) in which the pancreas does not make enough enzymes to properly digest the food and can lead to poor weight gain/lack of weight maintenance in an otherwise healthy dog.

Also, it sounds like Stewart is outdoors most of the time. Chronic parasitism with the protozoal organism called Giardia is a common cause of malabsorption in outdoor pets that otherwise feels normal. I would ask your vet to check him for both of these things…just to be sure.

As far as options for a diet for Stewart, it is important to remember that fat has more calories per gram than either protein or carbohydrates. Fat has 9 calories per gram, whereas carbs and protein have only 4 calories per gram. With Stilmoors heavy activity schedule, he is likely better suited to a higher fat diet. When comparing diets, it is critical to do so on a dry matter basis (ask your vet to help you with this calculation if you are unsure). The Kent Native 4 you have had him on has 38.9% protein and 27.8% fat. There are many other diets that offer higher fat percentages. As an example, Evo canned dog food has 54.5% protein and 36.4% fat. The Evo 95% beef canned dog food has 41% protein and 41% fat.

It is also important that you look at the source of ingredients from a digestibility standpoint. The Kent Native 4 diet has “chicken meal” as the first ingredient. “Chicken meal” is a product made through a process called rendering. This always means it is considered “unfit for human consumption” because of the variability and quality of the end product. Rendered meals have lower digestibility than whole meats so even though the food is relatively high protein, it may not be highly digestible protein. Obviously Stewart needs a highly digestible, high quality food to gain and maintain weight with his active lifestyle.

For more information on reading and understanding pet food labels to choose the best food for Stewart, please see my article here.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Dr. Donna Spector

Adriana Trenev

Below is an interview with Adriana Trenev of Natren, Inc., maker of natural probiotics for animals.  They help animals who are suffering from intestinal problems, antibiotic side effects, or general illness. Their products are 100% natural and safe and are ALL MADE IN THE USA!

K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into pet health products?

Adriana: My family (my parents Yordan and Natasha Trenev, and myself, their daughter, Adriana Trenev) have been in the probiotics industry in the United States for the past 30+ years. My parents founded our family-owned and operated company, Natren Probiotics Inc. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It started with just the two of them, and now we’re a company of 60+ employees! Our company began with human probiotics, but gradually the demand arose for animal probiotics. It was a natural extension of our line that our customers really appreciated!

K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with your organization-how have you gotten to where you are today?

Adriana: The secret of my family’s success is to do something you are passionate about and that you believe in! Of course, you’ll work hard to make sure you succeed when you believe in what you’re doing. We also feel like it’s our mission to help people and animals with our products and that makes it motivating to come into work each day.

K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?

Adriana: Natren probiotic products are different from the rest of the junk on the marketplace because we have set rigorous standards of product quality and excellence that no other probiotic manufacturer can match. We have a potency guarantee of our products through a printed expiration date, and we have an international Drug GMP certification, which means that an independent, third-party agency has come in and inspected our plant. They certify that we have a pharmaceutical grade facility and that all of our label and potency claims are true. Safety for both humans and animals is our #1 priority, as well as making a healthy, natural supplement that produces results. That’s why we have a 90-DAY money-back guarantee for every customer.

K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?

Adriana: In my family, we’ve had a dog since I was in second grade! We have always loved animals. Our first dog was our American Eskimo, Prince, who is still alive and doing great today (at the ripe old age of 16)! In fact, when the vet sees him, he always compliments us on how well we have taken care of him and how young he still looks and acts. Of course, he gets our CanineDophilus Product everyday. In addition to Prince, who is our family pet, 2 years ago, I got a four-pound Chihuahua named Chloe, who is just the love of our lives! She is very healthy and active, as well, and she loves fresh-cooked organic chicken breast as her treat. She also receives the dog supplements everyday. In general, though, our family loves the loyal, unconditional love that dogs give-they really have the ability to brighten your whole day in an instant.

K9Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?

Adriana: The neatest park about our work is when we see results in our customers and getting those phone calls where they tell us how much better they or their pets are doing-it inspires us to work harder!

K9 Cuisine: Where do you see the pet health industry going?

Adriana: Pet health is extremely important in a country that spends around 40 billion dollars annually on their animals. They are not just animals anymore; they are a part of the family. Everything we have been hearing suggests that health and safety concerns are really being taken seriously now, as well as high-quality products for pets that were not available even ten years ago.

K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?

Adriana: We have recently expanded our line to include two more animal probiotics-the Avian Vegi-Dophilus and the Gastro Vegi-Dophilus for Animals. We have launched our own animal centric web site- www.natrenanimals.com because we know the power of a high-quality probiotic for animals, and we have seen the customer demand for such a resource.

K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your organization?

Adriana: They can visit www.natrenanimals.com or www.natren.com or www.truthaboutprobiotics.com. If they prefer to get free probiotic health advice for the whole family (including pets!) over the phone, they can call 866-4-NATREN.

Question:

“My dog, Inuki, has always eaten many foods without any issues or allergies. We have been searching for the “perfect” healthy premium dog food. He has been on Flint River Ranch, Nutro, Innova, Dogswell, and raw diet (we stopped that) then home cooked with veggies, meat, grains, and multi vitamins, then the Honest Kitchen because it was too much to cook myself. I actually will go back to home cooking if I have the right recipes, but I had a very hard time understanding how much to feed and of what. I read dr strombecks Home Cooked Diets For Cats and Dogs. Now, for the last month my dog and 2 cats have been on the Honest Kitchen’’s Prowl and Force. My cats love their Prowl and do great on it, but my dog, while he likes the food, his pooping has increased big time. He used to have maybe one to 2 poops a day and they were small and firm, now he poops 3 to 4 times and the poop is large and soft, but not runny. I just really would like to find a food that he can stick with that will keep him very healthy for years and years to come.”

Answer:

“Tianna,
Thanks for writing in. Sounds like you have been dabbling in the (sometimes) frustrating world of dog nutrition for quite some time! I think the first thing you need to decide on is whether you want to cook for your dog or if you are looking for a commercially available diet.

If you are selecting a commercially available diet, select one that is “natural” or “organic”. By definition and AAFCO regulation, a “natural” pet food may have ingredients from ONLY plant, animal or mined sources. These foods cannot be highly processed or contain chemically synthetic ingredients, such as artificial flavors, preservatives or colorings.

Look for foods that do not contain inferior by-products or meals. Meat meals are made through a process of rendering. Any product that has been rendered is considered unfit for human consumption…so in my mind, that means unfit for our beloved pets as well. Look for RECOGNIZABLE ingredients on the label. You should be able to identify meats, grains, vegetables and not just chemical additives.

If you are choosing to home-cook, you absolutely need to work with a veterinary nutritionist to get recipes that are balanced for your dog and his daily requirements. There are many websites you can use, including www.petdiets.com and www.balanceit.com. I would recommend that you request a consultation specific to Inuki so he isn’t lacking anything.”

Good Luck.
Dr. Donna Spector

Frank Tirelli

Today we are featuring Frank Tirelli, Founder of DogPlatesUSA.com. They sell beautiful, Danish plates with painted pictures of dogs on them.  Below are excerpts from our interview:

K9Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into selling plates with dogs?

Frank: I have always loved dogs – they make great companions.   I came across these plates on the web and negotiated a deal to be the exclusive U.S. rep for these beautiful Danish Blue Dog plates.

K9Cuisine: What is the secret to your success, and how have you gotten to where you are today?

Frank: We are friendly, loyal, and I know who’s the boss (the customer!).

K9Cuisine: What makes you different?

Frank: We are driven by customer service, and that is not just a slogan.

K9Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?

Frank: Dogs truly are friends for life. Their loyalty and commitment, if copied by humans, would make our world a better place!

K9Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your business?

Frank: I really love our product.  The portraits are stunning and given the quality craftsmanship (the art work is done by professionals), and the uniqueness of each plate, it’s an easy and rewarding business.

K9Cuisine: How can people reach you?

Frank: Sure, we can reached by visiting http://www.dogplatesusa.com, via email at info@dogplatesusa.com or by phone at 646-797-3100. We can also be followed on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dogplatesusa.

Name: Kathy Beth Moraino
Pets species and breed: Canine – border collie/retriever
Pets age and weight: 1.5 years/60lbs
Pets health status: Excellent
Are they spayed or neutered? Yes
Brand of food: Taste of the Wild and a raw food diet
Animal owned for: 1 year

“I was inquiring about a premium dog food recommendation. My dog has SIBO. He has done well on a raw dog food diet and on does best on a kibble that is venison. I feed him kibble in the morning and raw meat/organs/bone at night. I feed the kibble just to make sure he is getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs. He was originally eating Wellness Venison but rejected it after a month. He liked Taste of the Wild Venison and bison at first, but then rejected it after a month. I was wondering if you could recommend a brand of food for him. Pre-made raw food is too expensive to feed all my dogs. Thank you.”

The Answer:

“Thanks for your question Kathy.  I am glad you are supplementing the raw dog food diet with a well balanced dog food to provide your dog the right nutrient profile.

It is important to choose a dog food with high QUALITY ingredients.  Poor quality proteins (rendered meats/meals/some by-products) are less digestible than real muscle meat and these poor quality proteins are often associated with adverse food reactions (diarrhea, stomach upset, etc).

Another ingredient to watch for is fillers.  Fillers are usually carbohydrates like corn and rice that are added to a food to “fill” up the bag and add calories.  It is cheaper for pet food companies to use these fillers than other types of carbohydrates and protein.  When included in dog foods (in excess) these fillers can have negative metabolic effects and often contribute to obesity in pets.

In addition to these things, I choose dog foods based on a number of factors, including:

• Recognizable ingredients.  Real meat (no by-products) and real vegetables when I read the label and look inside the food.
• Natural foods–by definition means they cannot contain artificial dyes, colors or preservatives
• Alternate carbohydrate sources like sweet potato

The food you have been feeding (Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Formula) contains bison, venison, lamb/chicken/fish meals, and potato/sweet potatoes so I know what ingredients he seems to do okay on.   A couple of names you might try include:

• Evo 95% Venison Canned Dog Food
• Nature’s Variety Instinct Venison

If your dog continues to reject each new diet that you provide, you should see your veterinarian.  Many dogs with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) actually have an underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) condition that may require medication to treat.  See my article at http://www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles/Inflammatory-Bowel-Disease-in-Dogs.html to learn more about IBD in dogs.”

Hope this helps.
Dr. Donna Spector